Trade Policy
Washington Expands China Trade Probes as Tehran Crisis Splits U.S. Focus
New Section 301 investigations target 16 economies while Treasury negotiates in Paris, exposing strategic bandwidth limits amid Middle East war.
Paris Talks Test Fragile US-China Trade Truce Ahead of March Summit
Treasury Secretary Bessent and Vice Premier He meet this weekend to negotiate rare earth access, semiconductor restrictions, and agricultural purchases—with limited expectations but outsized market stakes.
Detroit’s Tariff Fortress: Auto Coalitions Lock Down Protection Against $20,000 Chinese EVs
U.S. industry lobbies weaponise Trump's China policy to maintain 100% tariff walls while Chinese manufacturers circle North America through Canada and Mexico.
Volkswagen’s €60 Billion Question: Can Europe’s Auto Giants Survive Chinese Competition?
VW's massive restructuring confronts a brutal reality - Chinese EV makers possess structural cost advantages that tariffs alone cannot neutralize, forcing a reckoning over Europe's industrial future.
Nintendo Sues US Government for Tariff Refunds as Corporate Legal Battle Reaches Critical Mass
Gaming giant joins wave of companies seeking billions in refunds after Supreme Court struck down Trump's emergency trade levies.
Japan Presses US to Honor Trade Deal as Tariff Confusion Deepens
Tokyo urges Washington to preserve 15% automotive duty ceiling amid policy shifts threatening $41 billion export corridor.
Japan Demands Equal Treatment as Trump Tariff Reset Threatens $550 Billion Deal
Tokyo formally requests Washington ensure its negotiated 15% tariff cap remains intact amid new Section 122 duties, testing the durability of bilateral trade frameworks.
Europe’s ‘Made in Europe’ Gambit Risks Fracturing Western Supply Chain Alliance
Brussels unveils local-content mandates as UK and allied partners warn of friend-shoring fragmentation
Bessent Signals 15% Universal Tariff Imminent as Markets Brace for Policy Shock
Treasury Secretary's 'this week' timeline for tariff escalation marks sharp pivot from targeted duties to blanket protectionism, testing investor appetite and global trade architecture.
Americans Pay 90% of Tariff Costs as Supreme Court Forces Policy Reset
New research traces $287 billion in customs revenue to domestic consumers and businesses, while Bank of Japan holds rates steady amid diverging central bank policies.
Over 1,500 Companies Sue US Government Seeking Billions in Tariff Refunds
Supreme Court's February 20 ruling invalidating IEEPA tariffs triggers unprecedented legal battle over estimated $160-175 billion in duties, as major retailers and small businesses race to secure refunds while administration deploys alternative trade authorities.
Seoul Ends 19-Year Standoff, Grants Google Maps Access Under US Trade Pressure
South Korea conditionally approved Google's export of high-precision map data after rejecting similar requests in 2007 and 2016, as Washington linked the restrictions to tariff negotiations worth billions.